When the news broke this week that an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years would be released, Rabbi Neal Gold of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland had one word to describe his reaction.

"Exhilarating," Gold said.

"That's the best word I can use to describe what we were all feeling," he said. "We've been praying for his release for so long."

It wasn't only prayers that kept Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit's image in the minds of temple members. The rabbi has kept an empty chair near the stage at Temple Shir Tikva, draped with a tallit, or a Jewish prayer shawl, and a photo of Shalit.

The agreement between Israel and Hamas announced Tuesday will involve the exchange of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit, who was taken captive when he was 19.

"In Israel, his cause is everywhere," said Rabbi Gold. "His face is on billboards all over the country. It's something that unites the political left and right, unites the religious-secular divide. It's been a unifying cause in Israel for years now."

Gold added, "The fact that Israel is releasing 1,000 convicted prisoners for one prisoner of war shows how important this is."

During a trip to Israel three years ago, Gold visited a synagogue and saw an empty seat with a rose reserved for Shalit.

"I was so moved I brought the concept back here to our temple in Wayland," Gold said.

"He's been in our prayers regularly in our Shabbat services for several years now," Gold said, noting he received about 50 emails from the temple community as the news spread Tuesday afternoon.

Still, Gold said, "We won't breathe easily until he's home."

(Michael Wyner can be reached at 508-626-4441 or mwyner@wickedlocal.com.)